Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday refuted reports that the Biden administration’s decision to construct new border walls in Texas marks a change in immigration and border policy.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Mayorkas, who a day earlier said there was an “immediate need” to construct new border walls in the Rio Grande Valley, claimed the Biden administration’s policies against building new walls had not changed.
“I want to address today’s reporting relating to a border wall and be absolutely clear. There is no new administration policy with respect to border walls,” Mr. Mayorkas said. “From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer. That remains our position, and our position has never wavered.”
On Wednesday, the DHS secretary announced the waiver of 26 laws to expedite the construction of roads and walls in a high-traffic area for migrants attempting to enter the country illegally along the southern U.S. border in Texas.
The new barriers will be erected within the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, an area classified as a “high illegal entry” zone. Mr. Mayorkas issued the waiver and determination, citing U.S. Border Patrol data that indicates more than 245,000 migrants have unlawfully crossed into Starr County since early August—the start of the current fiscal year.
This announcement appeared to signal a policy shift for President Joe Biden, who has emphasized a different approach from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, regarding immigration and border security. One of President Biden’s early moves as president was to cease using emergency funds for the southern border wall and to end the national emergency declaration there.
Biden Insists His Stance Hasn’t Changed
On Thursday, President Biden defended his administration’s decision to clear the way for the construction of approximately 20 miles of additional border wall. He explained that he felt compelled to use the Trump-era funding allocated in 2019 for the barrier to address illegal immigration from Mexico, despite his previous stance against border walls.When asked if he believed border walls worked, the president unequivocally said, “No.”
President Biden insisted that DHS’s announcement did not mark a change in his stance to not build more border walls, explaining that Congress wouldn’t agree to redirect the earmarked funding. As a result, the money has to be spent as intended by 2024.
“The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get to them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didn’t. They wouldn’t,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.
“In the meantime, there’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated,” he continued. “I can’t stop that.”
On Wednesday, Mr. Mayorkas said there was currently an “acute and immediate need” to build the walls.
“Therefore, I must use my authority under section 102 of IIRIRA to install additional physical barriers and roads in the Rio Grande Valley Sector,” he said. “Therefore, DHS will take immediate action to construct barriers and roads.”
This decision comes as the administration faces the challenge of dealing with a surge in migrants arriving at the border. After entering the country illegally, thousands of illegal immigrants are being dispersed around the country to Democrat-led cities with sanctuary policies, such as New York, Chicago, and Washington. Meanwhile, the leaders of these cities have been crying out for help from the federal government as they struggle to cope with the influx. New York has gone as far as trying to end its shelter policy.
The surge in the numbers of migrants making their way to the United States’ southern border with Mexico is not easing. Soon, around 10,000 migrants are expected to arrive at the U.S.–Mexico border per day, based on the numbers traveling from Guatemala.
Trump Crows Over Biden: ‘I Will Await His Apology’
Republicans blame the president’s decisions to roll back Trump-era measures and end border wall construction for the unprecedented illegal immigration numbers.The Biden administration hasn’t always remained firm on its stance of not building more border walls. DHS has previously built roughly 13 miles of barriers in the Rio Grande Valley. It also initiated a small-scale project to address small gaps that remained open from prior construction work.
DHS posted the announcement of the latest wall action in the Federal Registry with some details about the construction in Starr County, Texas.
Some Republicans have said they will tie their support for more Ukraine aid to whether the president will approve more funding for the border wall. Under President Biden, the United States has sent several billion dollars to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
During his tenure, President Trump struggled to get Congress to approve more than $1.4 billion of the $5.7 billion he requested for the wall. Construction of the border wall was a core component of President Trump’s immigration policies.
On Thursday, President Trump and his allies weighed in on DHS’s decision to construct new border walls, saying that it shows the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination was right about the border all along.
“As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving ... I will await his apology!”
